Page 66 of The Roadie
“I love how close they are,” Kira commented.
“Like brothers,” Jessi added, with a smile. She glanced at the staircase that led to the first floor. “Here comes my daughter. I can’t believe she wasn’t the first one here.”
Tessa entered the studio like a whirlwind. “I hope everyone’s ready to rock!” She took center stage and faced Mason and Lucas who were standing near the soundboard. She read from a list of song titles, announcing the order in which they should rehearse them. She adjusted the mic stand, then fiddled with a video camera that was attached to the wall facing the band. “Ham it up,” she told the boys. “Feel free to stare directly into the camera lens.” Clearly, she ran the show. She was 13 going on 30.
“What’s with the camera?” Kira asked Jessi.
“Tessa thought it would be a good idea if they recorded their performance so they could see what the audience will see when they play the street fair.”
“Tell her what else Tessa has planned,” Alyssa offered.
“She wants to move these couches to the side walls and cover the entire wall behind us with mirrored glass, so she can watch the band when they practice,” Jessi explained. “I swear, I think she’s ready to produce an album.”
“She’s full of creative ideas,” Kira marveled at the ingenuity that this young girl possessed. “I thought she might be nervous performing in front of hundreds of people for the first time, but she looks like she’s ready to play Madison Square Garden.”
Brett clapped his hands together enthusiastically. “Let’s go. I can’t wait to hear the new song you penned,” he told Tessa.
She was the lyricist. The boys didn’t even bother. Tessa had been making up songs since before she could form sentences. By the time Prodigy officially came together as a band, she had a half dozen on paper.
“Get ready to be blown away,” Lucas called, as he tightened one of the keys on his Gibson. “We have two new songs that are perfection.”
Whereas Mason was humble, Lucas had zero modesty. At 15, he was already slaying hearts. And he knew it. His platinum blond hair had grown past his shoulders. Time spent in the pool and at the beach gave him a golden tan, which made his bright blue eyes shine. He had recently sprouted by nearly six inches, and his chest and shoulders had broadened significantly.
A hum from the amplifier meant the kids were ready to play, and it filled Kira with a surge of excitement. It didn’t matter that she’d seen Prodigy play hundreds of times over the years, watching their talent soar filled her with adrenaline.
Tessa picked up her bass and slung it over her shoulder. She was a petite little thing, and the instrument dwarfed her as it hung low on her hips. She boldly stepped up to the mic, tapped her foot on the floor several times, then threw her head back and raised her finger up to the ceiling with dramatic flair. She was cueing Mason with her back to him. He clacked his sticks together four times, and the studio exploded with sound. Tessa’s powerful vocals delivered a punch of pure adrenaline while she plucked grungy notes that thumped out the rhythm. She had no inhibitions and oozed showmanship of someone twice her age. She had the stage presence of Angel Garcia and the tenacity of her mother.
Lucas delivered a soul-crushing melody that rang through the room. Jutting his hips forward, he played while he wore a cocky grin. He was all confidence and attitude, with the talent to back it up.
Kira’s gaze drifted to her nephew. Mason was clearly the star. He played effortlessly. His arms flew over the drum skins, delivering a heavy beat that reverberated in her chest. He was lost in his own world as he assaulted the drum kit with unprecedented skill that shocked the world.
These three kids dripped talent and were afforded every opportunity. Kira touched her belly with affection. Her two babies and Michael would be given the same advantages in life. A hiccup made her jump.
Brett’s hand was immediately on her shoulder. “You OK?”
She nodded. “It was just a little—ugh!” She jerked forward, as a twinge pulled inside her, then quickly subsided.
“What happened?” Audra asked, with concern.
“Nothing. I’m fine.”
Kira’s hand went to her belly, but Brett’s hands were already there cradling their babies. There was heavy tension in his brow and worry lines creasing his face. “Are you sure you’re OK?” he asked.
“Yes. It was nothing.” He remained seated on the arm of the recliner and slipped his hand in hers as he continued to watch her, while she relaxed and enjoyed listening to Prodigy. Her eyes moved to Michael, who sat in Audra’s lap, transfixed by the older kids with a happy animated smile plastered across his face. She began to imagine her babies crawling on the floor with him and sharing the video games that he loved so much. She wondered if Michael was destined to become a drummer like Mason, or if, maybe, this younger set of children would inherit the Abelman business sense. They could take over Falcon Records and work side by side with her and Audra.
A dull pain in Kira’s lower back made her adjust her position in the recliner. As soon as she moved, a surge of warm wetness drenched the back of her thighs and buttocks. At first, she was mortified and thought that she peed herself, but she quickly realized that her water broke. “Oh my God.”
“That’s it,” Brett stated. “I’m calling the doctor.”
“Yes. I think you better.”
Panic stared back at her, and some of the color drained from Brett’s face.
“My water just broke,” she explained.
“Shit!” He jumped to his feet, which made everyone react.
Audra handed Michael to Alyssa and quickly stood up. “You’re in labor. I’ll get the car. Brett, help her upstairs.”
